Topic:
System Administration

Articles, hints, tips, and advice about system administration and administering networks.

O'Reilly Network articles about this topic:

Windows Wireless LAN Security Primer
(Windows DevCenter)
If you've got a wireless Windows network, you're at risk. This primer gives you a great introduction to what you need to know to keep it safe.

Implementing and Understanding DHCP
(Windows DevCenter)
Setting up DHCP on tens, hundreds, and even thousands of computers can be daunting. Here's how to do it easily with Windows Server 2003.

Installing and Configuring ISA 2006
(Windows DevCenter)
Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA) 2006, Microsoft's latest release of its popular web proxy and security suite, has become a full-blown perimeter security solution for both small and large networks. Chris Sanders shows you how to set it up and configure it for best performance.

PC Deployment with ImageX
(Windows DevCenter)
If you need to deploy Windows to multiple machines, ImageX is a big time-saver. Jim Aspinwall shows you how to do it.

Tuning Virtual Server for Maximum Performance
(Windows DevCenter)
If you deploy Microsoft Virtual Server in a production environment, the performance of the virtual machines running on it becomes increasingly important. Chris Sanders shows how to tune it up for maximum performance.

Five Things You Need to Know About Virtual Server
(Windows DevCenter)
Microsoft Virtual Server lets you consolidate servers, better control security, and set up a more flexible testing environment. In this article, Chris Sanders explains how it works--and how to set it up.

Secure Wireless Networking with IAS and RADIUS
(Windows DevCenter)
Perhaps the best way to secure your wireless Windows network is to use RADIUS authentication. Chris Sanders walks you step by step through the RADIUS setup so you'll be able to lock down your network in no time.

Using Offline Files
(Windows DevCenter)
Mobile users need access to their personal files, even when disconnected from the network--and offline files let them do just that. Mitch Tulloch and Chris Sanders show you the ins and outs of setting up and using offline files.

How to Deploy Software Using Group Policy
(Windows DevCenter)
Deploying software needn't be a chore for network administrators. You can leverage the power of Group Policy and Intellimirror, as Mitch Tulloch and Chris Sanders show you.

Top 10 Tips for Using Windows PowerShell
(Windows DevCenter)
PowerShell is Microsoft's newest replacement for the command line, and it's far more powerful than any command-line prompt Microsoft has given us before. Starting to learn it, unfortunately, can be a bit overwhelming. Jeff Cogswell offers his top 10 tips for getting the most out of it.

Implementing Mandatory Roaming Profiles
(Windows DevCenter)
System adminstrators often ignore one of their most useful tools: IntelliMirror, which makes sure that users' files, apps, and settings are available wherever they log on. Mitch Tulloch and Chris Sanders show how to use it to implement mandatory roaming profiles.

Better Registry Searching
(Windows DevCenter)
Finding what you need in the registry is harder than trying to find a needle in a haystack. Mitch Tulloch shows you how to find what you need--fast!

Windows XP File Sharing Mysteries: Part 2
(Windows DevCenter)
Confused by file sharing in XP? You're not alone. In this second part of a two-part series, Mitch Tulloch brings you under the hood and shows you XP's secrets.

Using Data Compression in .NET 2.0
(Windows DevCenter)
New compression classes are available in the .NET Framework 2.0, and they can be used to reduce the size of data transmitted over a network. In this article, Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to use the compression classes in .NET 2.0 in a web service environment.

Windows XP File Sharing Mysteries: Part 1
(Windows DevCenter)
Confused by file sharing in XP? You're not alone. Mitch Tulloch brings you under the hood and shows you XP's secrets, in the first part of a two-part series.

Registry Hacks for Servers
(Windows DevCenter)
Need to bend Windows Server 2003 to your will? Mitch Tulloch offers great Registry hacks that will help you get more out of your servers.

Best Windows Admin Downloads
(Windows DevCenter)
There are more than 9,000 tools, templates, white papers, and other items available from the Microsoft Download Center. Which are the best for Windows administrators? Mitch Tulloch clues you in.

Build a Virtual Routed Network
(Windows DevCenter)
Building a multi-domain, multi-site testbed network with a workstation in each domain and at each site can take about half a dozen machines...unless you follow Mitch Tulloch's advice, and build a virtual routed network on one PC with Virtual PC.

How To Recover from Registry Corruption
(Windows DevCenter)
What do you do if your system crashes and you've got a corrupt registry? Mitch Tulloch comes to your rescue with advice on how to recover and restore your registry.

Inside Vista's New Diagnostic Tools
(Windows DevCenter)
Vista comes with a great suite of diagnostic tools for helping your PC run better and avoid crashes. Mitch Tulloch gives you the rundown on what they are and how to use them.

The Ultimate Free Windows Toolkit
(Windows DevCenter)
You don't have to spend a bundle if you want to keep your network and its servers in tip-top shape. Mitch Tulloch gives you the rundown on the best free tools you can find for system administrators.

Designing Small Windows Networks
(Windows DevCenter)
It's not as simple as you think to design a network for small business--you need to design for maximum benefit with minimum resources. Mitch Tulloch tells you how to do it, taking into account everything from deploying Small Business Server to rolling your own solution.

IIS7 Revealed
(Windows DevCenter)
Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) has evolved over the years from a simple web server to a full-fledged application hosting platform. What's next for IIS? Mitch Tulloch interviews Microsoft IIS Evangelist Brett Hill, who gives you a road map to the future.

Ensuring Application Compatibility in Vista
(Windows DevCenter)
What should you do if your enterprise has mission-critical line-of-business apps that simply must continue running properly once you've upgraded your desktops to Vista? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, offers insight and advice.

Supporting Branch Office Environments
(Windows DevCenter)
Supporting the IT needs of branch offices that have limited or no IT resources can be a challenge. What to do? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, interviews Richard Harrison, CISSP, principal technologist for infrastructure and security at Content Master, who offers his expertise on how to support branch offices using Windows.

An Overview of UAC in Windows Vista
(Windows DevCenter)
Vista's User Account Control represents a big step forward for system security. But it's not that easy to understand. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how it works, and offers tips for making it better.

Directions in Windows Scripting
(Windows DevCenter)
Administering Windows platforms using scripts can be a big productivity booster or a headache. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, sits down with Don Jones, a Microsoft MVP and the creator of ScriptingAnswers.com, for a no-holds barred interview about the future of scripting.

An Inside Look at Group Policy in Windows Vista
(Windows DevCenter)
Vista will bring some important changes to how Windows handles Group Policy, and these can offer significant benefits to administrators. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, gives you a look at how they impact day-to-day administration of a Windows network.

IPv6 and IPsec in the Enterprise Today
(Windows DevCenter)
What's the current state of IPv6 deployment around the world, and how is IPsec changing in the enterprise? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, interviews William Dixon, president of V6 Security and former Microsoft program manager for Windows Networking, to bring you the inside scoop.

How Vista Will Handle IPv6
(Windows DevCenter)
IPv6 is the completely re-architected TCP/IP protocol stack in Vista and Longhorn. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, examines this Next Generation TCP/IP stack, and shows how it enhances the manageability, usability, and security of Windows-based networks.

An Inside Look at IPSec in Vista
(Windows DevCenter)
IPSec management tools are not particularly intuitive in XP. But things are going to be better in Vista. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, takes a look at IPSec support in Vista, and clues you in on what you can expect.

Identifying Essential Windows Services: Part 2
(Windows DevCenter)
In Part 1 of this series, Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, showed you how to identify which basic server services are essential, and which can be turned off. In this second part, he shows you additional services for servers configured with specific roles.

Disabling USB Storage With Group Policy
(Windows DevCenter)
The security threat posed to companies by USB flash drives has been known for some time now. But it's a tough problem to solve. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how you can disable USB storage using Group Policy.

Beware of Network Sniffers
(Windows DevCenter)
Network sniffing is harder than most people think, but that doesn't mean it's not a threat. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, tells you the truth about sniffing dangers, and shows you how to protect your network.

Hacking IIS6 with Metabase Explorer
(Windows DevCenter)
Mucking about in version 6 of the IIS metabase is a lot easier than in earlier versions. But try it, and you may end up with metabase corruption and other woes. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how to hack the IIS6 metabase with Metabase Explorer.

Using Windows Explorer with Alternate Credentials
(Windows DevCenter)
Running Windows using administrator credentials can be hazardous to the health of your machine. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how you can help solve the problem by using Windows Explorer while running alternate credentials.

Automating Desktop Tasks in XP
(Windows DevCenter)
Tired of repeating the same mouse clicks and keystrokes for basic tasks you do every day? It's time to automate them. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, tells you about five great tools that can do it for you.

Using DFS for Software Installation
(Windows DevCenter)
The Distributed File System (DFS) component of Windows Server 2003 is a powerful tool that can ease the task of deploying and maintaining applications using Group Policy's Software Installation feature. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, gives you tips on how to power it up.

Printing Directory Listings
(Windows DevCenter)
XP's GUI can't do something as simple as print out a listing of every file in a directory. So Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, comes to the rescue and shows you four ways to print out directory listings in XP.

Windows Explorer Hacks
(Windows DevCenter)
Face it, Windows Explorer is old and tired. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how to power up this venerable utility and make it an actual powerhouse.

Windows Server Hacks: AutoProf Policy Maker
(Windows DevCenter)
Group Policy is a great tool for managing Active Directory networks. But using it to do something simple like mapping a network drive can be maddeningly complicated. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, tells you about a handy way to power up Group Policy.

Managing Remote Desktop
(Windows DevCenter)
Remote Desktop is a great tool for remote management, but it also has its hazards, and you should be careful whom you allow to use it. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how to control who has access to it and how to lock it down using Group Policy.

Troubleshooting Printer Problems
(Windows DevCenter)
Probably nothing annoys users more than when they can't print. And probably nothing annoys administrators more than when users complain they can't print. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how to quickly troubleshoot and solve printing problems.

Using Extensions in Firefox
(Windows DevCenter)
The Firefox browser has a lot going for it, and one of its best traits is its ability to use extensions that add to its features. Wei-Meng Lee, author of Windows XP Unwired, shows you how to find and install them, and clues you in to his favorites.

Deploying SP2--Or Not
(Windows DevCenter)
Is XP SP2 easy to deploy? How can you do it? And more importantly, what can you do if you don't want to deploy it immediately? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, gives you advice.

Using Folder Redirection
(Windows DevCenter)
Folder redirection is a great way to save work to servers rather than a local machine. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows how to easily use it with the Group Policy in an Active Directory Environment.

Deploying Domain Controllers in Remote Locations
(Windows DevCenter)
Deploying a domain controller in a remote location can be a serious problem, potentially swamping a LAN link for hours. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you how to do it and avoid headaches.

Upgrading and Migrating Print Servers
(Windows DevCenter)
Forget the "paperless office"; printers are still corporate workhorses. That means upgrading and migrating print servers is more important than ever. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, shows you tools and tricks to make it easier.

Inside the XML Metabase of IIS 6
(Windows DevCenter)
IIS's metabase is now an XML file instead of the binary file of earlier versions. Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server Hacks, gives you a bird's-eye view of how it's organized, and how to get the most out of it.

Understanding WinFX in Longhorn
(Windows DevCenter)
Longhorn is still in pre-beta, but it's time to get ready for developing apps for it. Wei-Meng Lee, author of Windows XP Unwired, gives a rundown about the APIs that developers will use to write the next generation of Windows applications.

Surf the Web Anonymously
(Windows DevCenter)
When you surf the Web, your life is an open book, open to anyone who wants to look. J.W. Olsen looks at two anonymous surfing programs that promise to fix the problem.

A First Look at Longhorn
(Windows DevCenter)
Longhorn is still in pre-beta, but we've got the goods on it. Wei-Meng Lee, author of Windows XP Unwired, gives you a guided tour through the new-generation operating system's interface and features.

An Inside Look at XP SP2
(Windows DevCenter)
The first real beta of SP2, Release Candidate 1, is finally out. Final release is only a few months away. Is it ready for prime time? And what's inside? Wei-Meng Lee gives you an inside look.

Windows Server 2003 Add-Ons, Part 3
(Windows DevCenter)
Get more out of Windows Server 2003, without paying a penny. In this final article of a multi-part series, Mitch Tulloch shows you free tools you can download and add to your toolbox of must-have utilities for Windows administrators.

Windows Server 2003 Add-Ons, Part 2
(Windows DevCenter)
Looking to power up Windows Server 2003? It's only a year old, but already there are dozens of ways you can increase its effectiveness and make it easier to manage. In this second article of a multi-part series, Mitch Tulloch shows you how to get the most out of Windows Server 2003 with three more feature packs.

Setting Up a Virtual Private Network
(Windows DevCenter)
What to do if you want to securely access your network when you're out of the office? The quickest and safest way is to set up a VPN. Wei-Meng Lee shows you how to do it.

Inside IIS 6
(Windows DevCenter)
With the release of Windows Server 2003, Microsoft has made significant changes in how IIS works. Mitch Tulloch brings you up-to-speed on what's new, and gives you insider tips on how to take advantage of it.

Windows Server 2003 Add-Ons, Part 1
(Windows DevCenter)
Windows Server 2003 is only a year old, but already there are dozens of ways you can power it up and make it easier to manage. In this first article of a multi-part series, Mitch Tulloch shows you how to get the most out of Windows Server 2003 with three feature packs.

The Well-Tuned Server, Part 2
(Windows DevCenter)
Not happy with the performance of your web servers? Mitch Tulloch offers five quick ways to enhance the performance of machines running IIS 5 and IIS 6.

Sizing Up Windows Server 2003
(Windows DevCenter)
It's been almost six months since Windows Server 2003 was released. Microsoft touts it as being able to do things "faster, more securely, and at lower cost." Has it lived up to its promises? Mitch Tulloch, author of Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell, looks at whether and how Microsoft has delivered on these promises.

Cooking with Active Directory, Part 2
(Windows DevCenter)Active Directory Cookbook offers Windows administrators hundreds of troubleshooting recipes for working with AD. This week we're showcasing two more recipes for you to sample: the first is from Chapter 6 ("Users") on modifying an attribute for several users at once; and the second is from Chapter 7 ("Groups") on viewing the nested members of a group.

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